I’ve tried several of the side view truck / bike / what-have-you style games on the iPhone, and while occasionally one resonates with me, they’re generally not my favorite type of game. As luck would have it, Monster Trucks Nitro 2 is one of the resonators. This sequel from developer Redlynx is easy to control, the tracks are varied and at times quite challenging, and the fact that each circuit has different tracks suited for various types of vehicles is a nice touch. This feels kind of like racing for those who don’t necessary enjoy the genre, and that’s my kind of racing game. I’ll even forgive them for not having any guns. Feel free to discuss this review of Monster Trucks Nitro 2 in our forums.

Monster Trucks Nitro 2 is comprised of 4 circuits, each circuit containing 4 tracks. Each track has 3 levels: Sunday Sprint, Top Sprint and Champion Sprint. With the exception of the first circuit you have to pay an entry fee for each level of each race you want to enter, and for every circuit you’ll win money for each race you come in first on. You can retry a particular level of a race indefinitely for free as long as you come in second, but as soon as you take first place you have to pay to play that level again. As far as I can tell you don’t even have to race the tracks or circuits in order, as long as you have enough money for the entrance fees (with the exception of the Awards circuit, which I’m guessing is locked until all other circuits are complete). Your opponent is a ghost version of your vehicle, and unlike most racing games, this opponent actually plays fair. If you lose a race it’s simply because you haven’t figured out how to beat it yet.

To control your vehicle you tilt the device left and right. The more you tilt, the more your vehicle will lean. If you keep the device tilted to the left you can try and flip your vehicle. If successful, as soon as the flip is complete you will get a temporary nitro boost. You can also collect boosts that are scattered throughout the levels. One or two boosts can be the difference between winning and losing a race. However, if you’re attempting to get a boost by flipping be warned that a failed flip can easily cost you the race. There’s a retractable slider at the bottom of the screen that lets you adjust the speed of the vehicle and brake, and the slider starts out at full gas when you start the race. So far I haven’t used it, though that could be part of the reason I’ve had to repeat certain levels many times. The level designers did an excellent job of making the levels for each vehicle type feel different, and there are some really fun levels to play through. This is especially true when it comes to the 6-wheeled vehicle, because you get to crush a lot of other vehicles and even run over trees. You have to love any truck that can take down a tree and keep on moving.

I don’t really get to say this very often about action racing type games, but at times the backgrounds can be almost breathtaking. When you hit certain jumps and take off in the air, try to soak in the mountains or whatever is behind you, as long as you don’t get too distracted. The trucks themselves are pretty slick looking too, and because there are various types, they actually look different.

Overall the sound is good. The engine noises are a bit weak, but things like crushing other vehicles, driving across bridges and the like are all pretty authentic. Even the announcer’s voice is quite well done; it’s kind of a cross between a WWF announcer and Optimus Prime. There’s decent music, but sadly it doesn’t play during the races.

Monster Trucks Nitro 2 is great fun and highly addictive. Even if it’s not normally your style of game, I’d at least consider it. I’ve had trouble putting the game down long enough to finish writing this review. I’m just not sure what I’m going to do when I’ve beaten all of the races. Maybe there will be some DLC races some day…